The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved licences for 117 tour operator companies for the 2018 hajj operations.
A statement by NAHCON’s spokesperson, Adamu Hassan Abdullahi, said the commission gave the approval after the operators met requirements.
“Head Tour Operators Unit, Alh. Alidu Shutti stated that the Chairman of NAHCON, Barr. Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad has also approved the distribution of 20,000 hajj seats among the 117 Licensed Companies based on their grading,” the statement said.
The chairman enjoined intending pilgrims not to patronize any company not licensed by the commission.
It would be recalled that 114 companies applied to the Commission for 2018 Hajj Licence, and about 54 companies were disqualified during the prequalification exercise for various breaches and violations, ranging from sub-standard accommodation for pilgrims, late submission of registration forms, expiration of Umrah license, non-operation of three consecutive Umrah Service and indebtedness to NAHCON.
35 companies made written appeals against their disqualifications and those with genuine reasons were considered and pardoned.
